As part of the Australian National Imams Council’s (ANIC) National Khutbah (Sermon) Day in conjunction with ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ which fell on Wednesday 25th November 2015, the sermon delivered at AIM’s Punchbowl Mosque in Sydney today echoed the call for all Australians to denounce and stand against domestic violence.

Islam denounces all forms of abuse even that of a slap. Kind and compassionate treatment of women is so important in Islam that on several occasions the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed men to treat women well.

Domestic violence is sadly a growing problem in Australia and it is the community’s obligation to stand against intimidation and abuse in the home targeting women, children and aging parents.